NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Rock Hill, SC
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
39 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Rock Hill, South Carolina since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Debby in 2024. Since 1950, 76 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 36
- Tornadoes
- 76
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
5 deaths in all
What the records show for Rock Hill
The strongest storm to pass near Rock Hill was an unnamed storm in 1896, a Category 1 hurricane with 86 mph winds when its centre passed 72 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Hugo in 1989, whose centre came within 6 miles. The record near Rock Hill begins with an unnamed storm in 1854; the most recent system was Debby in 2024, a tropical storm 45 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1880s, with 5 systems. Of the 39 systems, 5 have come since 2000. Of the 246 South Carolina cities on this site, 55% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Rock Hill. The strongest of the 76 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on May 5, 1989; its path came within 17 miles, and it killed 1 person. The deadliest, an EF2 on November 16, 2011, killed 3 people. Of the 76, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 31 have come since 2000. May has had the most tornadoes, 23. The most recent tornado was on December 29, 2024. Of the 246 South Carolina cities, 61% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Rock Hill. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 106 times since 1955, with stones up to 4 inches (softball size). Rock Hill has more hail reports within 10 miles than 75% of the 246 South Carolina cities.
Compare Rock Hill's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Rock Hill
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | DebbyAug 8 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 8 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2019 | NestorOct 20 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2018 | MichaelOct 11 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 2006 | AlbertoJun 14 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1989 | HugoSep 22 | 6 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1985 | BobJul 25 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 5 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1970 | AlmaMay 26 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1965 | Unnamed 1965 stormJun 16 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | GracieSep 30 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleAug 31 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 28 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1946 | Unnamed 1946 stormOct 9 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1945 | Unnamed 1945 stormSep 18 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 20 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1935 | Unnamed 1935 stormSep 5 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1927 | Unnamed 1927 stormOct 3 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 15 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 3 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 10 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1912 | Unnamed 1912 stormJun 14 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormSep 23 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1906 | Unnamed 1906 stormSep 18 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormOct 11 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 29 | 72 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 4 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 28 | 19 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 24 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 10 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1886 | Unnamed 1886 stormJun 22 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 12 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 11 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormSep 12 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1859 | Unnamed 1859 stormSep 17 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1854 | Unnamed 1854 stormSep 9 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Rock Hill: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Hill
By decade
- 2020s10
- 2010s10
- 2000s11
- 1990s18(2 EF3+)
- 1980s7(1 EF3+)
- 1970s11
- 1960s5
- 1950s4
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 1989 | F4 | 17 mi | 13 mi | 1 / 6 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | F3 | 15 mi | 18.5 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | F3 | 20 mi | 12 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 6 mi | 5.8 mi | 3 / 5 |
| Apr 15, 1994 | F2 | 17 mi | 3 mi | 1 / 4 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 24 mi | 13.98 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 22 mi | 8.66 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 23 mi | 18.21 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | F2 | 6 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Mar 10, 1992 | F2 | 12 mi | 3.4 mi | 0 / 18 |
| May 28, 1973 | F2 | 12 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | F2 | 18 mi | 9.6 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 76, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Rock Hill
The Storm Prediction Center has 106 hail reports within 10 miles of Rock Hill since 1955, made on 73 separate days. Of these, 56 were 1 inch across or larger, and 6 reached 2 inches. The largest, 4 inches (softball size), fell on April 24, 1955. The most recent report is from May 8, 2025. May has the most reports, 32.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Rock Hill
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Winthrop Univ, SC, in Rock Hill at 650 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 91°F and low of 70°F; January is the coolest, at 54°F and 33°F. June is the wettest at 4.1 inches of precipitation on average and October the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 42.6 inches over 70 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 50% of the year's precipitation (21.2 of 42.6 inches). September has brought the most of the 39 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (14); a normal September there has highs of 84°F and 3.6 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 56 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 51 nights a year. That 42.6 inches is more than at 2 of the 78 South Carolina stations used on this site (3%). Fort Mill, 7 miles northeast, has its own station (Rock Hill York Co Airport, SC): 42.6 inches a year, the same as here, and a July average high of 90°F against 91°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 54 | 33 | 3.6 | 6 |
| Feb | 58 | 35 | 3.1 | 6 |
| Mar | 66 | 42 | 3.9 | 7 |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 3.7 | 6 |
| May | 81 | 59 | 3.5 | 6 |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 4.1 | 6 |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 3.6 | 6 |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 3.7 | 6 |
| Sep | 84 | 63 | 3.6 | 5 |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 2.9 | 5 |
| Nov | 64 | 41 | 3.3 | 5 |
| Dec | 56 | 35 | 3.6 | 6 |
| Year | 73 | 51 | 42.6 | 70 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Winthrop Univ, SC (650 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Rock Hill
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 161 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Rock Hill: 124 thunderstorm wind reports, 16 flash floods, 16 floods, 3 heavy rain events and 2 lightning strikes. They killed 2 people and injured 0, and the NWS estimated $2.0 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 92 mph, on April 20, 2024. Of the 241 South Carolina cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 179 have had fewer than Rock Hill.
February 6, 2020: thunderstorm wind 1 mile from the centre of Rock Hill — 1 killed, $25,000 damage.
NWS: “EM reported a tree was blown down on a moving vehicle on Pleasant Rd in Fort Mill killing the 80-year-old female driver. Other trees were blown down in Rock Hill, including a large tree that fell across three parked vehicles on Park Ave.”
May 13, 2002: thunderstorm wind 8 miles from the centre of Rock Hill — 1 killed, $3,000 damage.
April 20, 2024: thunderstorm wind 2 miles from the centre of Rock Hill — $1.0 million damage.
NWS: “Within a larger swath of wind damage, an especially intense downburst producing wind gusts of around 90 mph developed over the city of Rock Hill. Mostly minor structural damage due solely to wind occurred to hundreds of structures, mainly just south of the city center.”
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Flood insurance policyholders in Rock Hill's 2 ZIP codes have filed 49 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1979, and were paid $340,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The year with the most claims was 1979, with 13. 6% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 110 South Carolina cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 55 have fewer than Rock Hill.
York County, which includes Rock Hill, has been named in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1977, 8 of them major disasters (by incident: 12 hurricanes, 2 biological emergencies, 2 ice storms, 2 severe storms). The latest major disaster declaration was Hurricane Helene, on September 29, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives York County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for tornadoes, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for inland flooding; Relatively Low for hurricanes, hail and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $99.2 million a year, the 9th highest of 46 South Carolina counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $51.5 million (52%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.